Masters Superbike Championship Young Racer of the Year Robert English continues his maiden BSB Superstock season at Oulton Park this Bank Holiday weekend. The Bangor rider will race his IFS Yamaha in the British Championship for the third time in five weekends with backing from Young Racer award sponsors, Mondello Park, AJ Plumbing Supplies, Dawn International, Pat Duke Plant Services and Megabikes.

The opening two events of the 2017 season have been tough as English and the IFS team have struggled to adjust to the different specification to which they have to run their bike this season compared to last. A positive start at Donington produced a top twenty finish in one of the most competitive fields ever seen in any motorcycle racing championship.

The level of competition was even higher at Brands Hatch where the top twenty six riders were covered by a second in qualifying. English was happy just to make the grid at the Kent circuit, having struggled to find a strong set up for the extremely technical track. Changes for Sunday’s first race did not improve things, leading to a non-finish, but further adjustments for Monday were a move in the right direction as English finally made progress during the second race to leave Round 2 feeling more confident for this weekend’s double header at Oulton Park.

“I was very dejected on the Sunday night but we made another large set-up change for morning warm up on the Monday and changed my seating position, both of which helped.” commented English after race two. “In the race I achieved my best lap of the weekend and passed a few riders at the start which helped my confidence and now I will go to Oulton Park in a more relaxed frame of mind which is when I ride at my best. Once again I must thank all of the award sponsors as without them none of this would be possible.

English will race this coming Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday at Oulton Park after which the championship takes a six week break returning at Knockhill in June. During the break English and the IFS team will compete at home for the first time in 2017 by entering the Irish Championship event at Bishopscourt on May 20th.